Thursday, 31 May 2012

It’s in the blood! Always the artist, from as far back as I
can remember.

I was the kid in primary school that the teacher always
called to draw something on the blackboard.

When did you start, why did you start?

My dad was a terrific hobby painter and always encouraged me
to paint and draw. He always had something constructive to say to help me
improve my work.

I had a natural ability and simply love to paint and draw.
It was the subject I could really excel in.

Other artists that inspire you?- Do they change overtime/ year to year?

Vermeer and Caravaggio always, and Chuck Close and Estes in
my art college years.

Where do you get your inspiration for each work from?

Inspiration is never hard, I’m surrounded by colour and
textures. The real problem is finding enough time to paint everything I want
too. I love urban scenery and architecture and travel the world every year
seeking imagery I can use to create small narratives on my canvasses. It is an
exciting challenge, composing an image from drawings, photos and ideas from
some half remembered vignette.

Where do you paint and what is your ideal routine/ daytime…
or night owl

Home studio and I’m definitely a morning painter. Without
interruption I can get on a roll and suddenly find it dark outside my studio
window…with no memory of the passing of time. My wife says I go to Scottie
land!

How did you arrive at the title of this current show?

I have had a couple of trips to Cuba and I am fascinated
with this small island country, cut off from the rest of the world since the
Cuban missile crises of the 1960’s. It has been locked in another time, and it’s
not often anyone gets a chance to see something so unique. The architecture is
beautiful, but crumbling before your eyes. The people of Cuba are beautiful and
so spirited, it is hard to believe they can maintain their strength through so
many years of hardship and economic depression. I stay with families when I
travel and hear, first hand, their stories of revolution, poverty and passion.
I wanted to capture some of this on canvas - my works are a record of a time
that is about to change, and I fear, change too fast. I hope it will be a change
for the better, a change that will improve the lives of all Cuban people

What is your painting process, atmosphere and colour seems
to be a key process, can you tell us about this?

I trawl through my images looking for the right ingredients,
scenes with great colours and textures and some kind of narrative I can lose
myself in. I shift images around, delete some parts, add others, boost colours,
mute others, until I have created a composition I’m happy with. I find I can
only concentrate on one painting at a time. I need to give each painting my
complete focus till that last brush stroke is applied.

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

A selection of award winning gallery artists from Richard
Martin Art in Sydney will have their work on show from 9 - 27 June 2012.The theme is Winter when the southern highlands comes into its own. Artists
include Melissa Egan, Peter Hickey, Richard Allen, Diana Watson, Gordon
Richards, Belynda Henry, Mitchell Kelly, Craig Handley Yvonne Studdert and
sculpture by Julie Haseler Reilly and Stephen Glassborow.

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

We caught up with Diana for a chat and to find out what inspires and what
makes her tick.

(click on above image to view exhibition)

Can you give us some background to how you became a visual artist?As far back as I can remember.

When did you start, why did you start?Someone very wisely told me, a woman needs another passion in her life apart from family. I am lucky, mine is art.Other artists that inspire you? - Do they change overtime/ year to year?I remain influenced by the old masters.

Where do you get your inspiration for each work from?It is an evolving process.

Where do you paint and what is your ideal routine/ daytime… or night owlAlways from a studio at home. When the light is good I work.How did you arrive at the title of this current show?Usually it will be something I am reading, but this time it was a very large, glamorous boat that kept sailing past my window. It is called Elysium [or Paradise] which is exactly where I wanted to be with this body of work.

What is your painting process, symbolism and lighting seems to be key processes, can you tell us about this?Symbolism is very important in my kind of work. It is not just about the beauty of nature but also weaves a narrative. This along with careful lighting creates drama and I hope helps the viewer transport to the paradise called Elysium.

Richard Martin Art

About

Richard Martin Art currently represents a select group of emerging, mid career and established artists specialising in contemporary paintings and sculpture. Here we will showcases their works and other prominent investment artists.